Are you running from God?

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Jonah 1:1-3 "One day the Lord spoke to Jonah son of Amittai. He said, “Go to Nineveh, that great city, and speak out against it; I am aware how wicked its people are.” Jonah, however, set out in the opposite direction in order to get away from the Lord. He went to Joppa, where he found a ship about to go to Spain. He paid his fare and went aboard with the crew to sail to Spain, where he would be away from the Lord." - GNB

Jonah’s story is interesting. He heard God clearly tell him to go to Nineveh and proclaim His message of repentance. But he deliberately went the opposite direction, to run away from God’s assignment. Alot happened in the ship until he was thrown out, swallowed by a huge fish, and three days later vomited out on the shore. A miracle indeed! The next time God called him and he went to Nineveh.

We cannot run away from God. Neither can even hide where God is not present in the entire universe. In the futility of his very limited human understanding, Jonah thought (as many today think) he would escape. Adam and Eve too tried to run and hide from God, but it was pointless to run from God Who is Omnipresent and all seeing. Such is the deception the devil has put in the human mind.

Many are running away from God’s call, and His known will. Nice sounding excuses may be given for disobeying God’s known will and ways. Whatever is done in disobedience may appear very normal outwardly. But deep within, you and God know that you are living in disobedience as Jonah did. Come back in repentance and do the things He called you to do. You cannot succeed to run away from God. It is a matter of time and you will know He alone is God and cannot be mocked. Jonah learnt the hard way.

Galatians 6:7-8 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

Shalom children of God